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With PVProtect, Minimax presents a brand new water-based fire suppression system at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne: The holistic protection concept for roof surfaces with photovoltaic systems is the first of its kind on the market that is VdS-approved.

Roofs containing flammable insulation materials pose significant risks. Even small fires on roof constructions can lead to severe business interruptions and loss of sales. PVProtect helps to significantly reduce or even entirely prevent such damages. The system offers protection against fire hazards on roof surfaces with an incline of up to 10° on which photovoltaic systems have been installed. Consequently, Minimax is the first fire protection company to offer a solution for such previously unprotected environments.

The first water-based fire suppression system of its kind – early detection combined with automatic fire fighting

The holistic protection concept combines early detection with automatic fire fighting. By preventing fires on the roof, PVProtect, thus, can also protect the entire building against consequential damages; in addition, it alerts people on site in good time.

Heat detectors are arranged in a targeted manner around the photovoltaic modules. In case of an unusual rise in temperature, the detectors pass on the information to the fire detection and extinguishing control panel, which simultaneously alerts the fire department. The close-meshed arrangement of sensors makes it possible to precisely locate the source of fire. Extinguishing nozzles are arranged in the vicinity of the photovoltaic modules to ensure water coverage over the entire area. In this way, PVProtect automatically fights incipient outbreaks of fire before they spread widely.

Efficient water consumption, easy to retrofit – VdS-approved

Special extinguishing nozzles ensure a risk-appropriate distribution of water even at low operating pressures. Localization of the source of fire in conjunction with a suitable extinguishing control system and effective area distribution allow for water requirements to be further reduced, while also reliably keeping fire hazards under control.

Because of the minimal water requirements and low operating pressures, PVProtect can usually be connected to the existing water supply of a sprinkler system. Integration into an existing fire protection system is, therefore, cost-effective and uncomplicated.

The effectiveness of PVProtect has been evaluated in fire tests and approved by VdS Schadenverhütung. The VdS approval applies to both the system and the individual components. PVProtect, thus, provides a basis for making the building insurable again.

First-time presentation at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne – presentation included

Minimax exhibits the new PVProtect fire suppression system for the first time at the VdS-FireSafety Cologne on December 6th–7th, 2023 at booth D-07 in hall 10.1.

As part of the VdS Fire Extinguishing Systems conference, responsible Minimax fire suppression system manager Thorsten Gieseke will hold a presentation on PVProtect at 2:45 PM on December 7th at the Koelnmesse Congress Center East. Information on how to register to attend the lecture can be found here.

For further information on PVProtect, please visit here.

Minimax France was awarded by the French Association of Firefighting Professions (FFMI) for the MXOne high-performance firefighting turbine.

The “Oscars de la Sécurité” are handed out annually by a panel of experts appointed by the FFMI to honor outstanding achievements in the field of fire protection. The prize is awarded in four categories: "Innovation", "Fire protection", "Fire protection management" and "Special locations". The Security Oscars have been the benchmark event for the fire protection sector in France for more than 20 years. This year, Minimax France competed in the "Innovation" category.

The awards were presented to the laureates on November 13, 2023 by Mrs. Dominique Faure, Minister Delegate for Local Authorities and Rural Areas, during a festive ceremony at the Palais du Luxembourg.

Pascal Bichet, Country Manager Minimax France, said about the award: “Minimax France is very proud to have received this award, especially since we were recognized by our industry colleagues.”

The award-winning Minimax high-performance firefighting turbine MXOne – Next generation firefighting

The Minimax MXOne en­ables in­nov­at­ive fire pro­tec­tion using highly ef­fi­cient water mist from a safe dis­tance. Thus, it rep­res­ents a new gen­er­a­tion of stationary fire­fight­ing sys­tems. It al­lows highly ef­fi­cient, pre­cise and tar­geted sup­pres­sion from a sig­ni­fic­ant and safe dis­tance. The tur­bine achieves a large dis­charge range thanks to the ad­justable jet pipe, even when using a foam agent.​

Dur­ing a fire, the water mist ab­sorbs a huge amount of en­ergy, cools par­tic­u­larly ef­fect­ively and reaches hid­den fire sources due to the three-di­men­sional mode of ac­tion. It binds smoke gas, pol­lut­ants and odors and can quickly de­velop its ef­fect over large areas without, like clas­sic mon­it­ors with their fo­cused jets, dis­pers­ing burn­ing ma­ter­ial and pos­sibly con­trib­ut­ing to the spread of fire.

Further information on the MXOne to be found here.

The new development of the EconAqua water mist sprinkler U16 now makes EconAqua the low-pressure water mist system with the widest range of applications on the market. Moreover, it is the only one which is approved by VdS for use in car parks and underground parking areas with a ceiling height of up to 3.6 meters.

Confirmed efficacy approved by VdS
With its low-pressure technology, EconAqua achieves an effectiveness comparable to high-pressure water mist sprinkler systems, meaning that the new U16 sprinkler is just as effective as conventional sprinklers. This was proven in a series of standardized fire tests in accordance with VdS 3883-4 and prEN 14972-5, where the arrangement of vehicles typical of a parking garage was simulated in the Minimax fire safety research center. In the fire tests supervised by VdS Schadenverhütung, it was possible to show that the EconAqua low-pressure water mist system provides fire protection with a ceiling height of 3.6m similar to classic water sprinkler systems, while using far less extinguishing water.

Consequently, Minifog EconAqua has far greater efficiency regarding water used to extinguish fires than conventional sprinklers. This can even mean savings of up 85 percent in water in certain cases. Due to the extremely low amount of water required, possible extinguishing water damages in the event of a fire are kept to a minimum.

Minifog EconAqua water mist extinguishing equipment can also be used to safeguard against fires in car parks and other areas at risk of frost without the need to install costly pipe heat tracing, because dry pipe systems can be set up like with conventional sprinkler equipment. In a standby state, these are filled with compressed air.

Minifog EconAqua systems also have an advantage over conventional sprinkler systems because they take up considerable less space. This is due to the compact water supply and the smaller pipe diameters in the pipe network – especially within suspended ceilings. This not only saves on construction costs. In many existing buildings, it makes it possible, for the very first time, to retrofit an extinguishing system at all.

Consequently, Minifog EconAqua provides particularly efficient fire safety in buildings, not only in offices and public administration buildings but also hospitals, museums, hotels or even car parks and underground parking areas. This is especially the case where damage caused by extinguishing water needs to be avoided at all costs, in areas where there is an acute shortage of space, or in places where a conventional sprinkler system cannot be connected directly to the drinking water supply.

More Info (Link)

Minimax Scandinavia AB is represented by managing director Mr. Leif Martinsson.

Minimax Scandinavia AB is part of the internationally operating Minimax Fire Solutions International GmbH, headquartered in Germany. The new office will strengthen the local presence in all Nordic countries.

“We are going to act as a sales and service hub that can offer process related and holistic fire protection solutions and services for the marine, industry and energy sector”, Leif Martinsson explains. Martinsson is working in the field of fire protection business for more than 20 years, and has been representing Minimax in Scandinavia through his former company Safetech IPS AB.

“We are very glad to welcome Leif Martinsson on board of our team. With the new entity and setup we are getting much closer to our many esteemed existing and also new customers in Scandinavia”, Thorsten Westphal, Managing Director of Minimax Fire Solutions International GmbH, declares at the opening ceremony in Gothenburg.

Minimax öppnar sitt första kontor i Skandinavien

Bad Oldesloe / Göteborg, augusti 08, 2022 – Vi är glada att meddela att Minimax Viking Group har öppnat ett Minimax-kontor i Göteborg, Sverige. Minimax Scandinavia AB representeras av VD Leif Martinsson.

Minimax Scandinavia AB är en del av det internationellt verksamma Minimax Fire Solutions International GmbH med huvudkontor i Tyskland. Det nya kontoret kommer att stärka den lokala närvaron i alla nordiska länder.

"Vi kommer att fungera som ett försäljnings- och servicecenter som kan erbjuda processrelaterade och kompletta brandskyddslösningar och tjänster för marin-, industri- och energisektorn", förklarar Leif Martinsson. Martinsson har varit verksam inom brandskyddsbranschen i mer än 20 år och har representerat Minimax i Skandinavien genom sitt tidigare företag Safetech IPS AB.

"Vi är mycket glada att välkomna Leif Martinsson till teamet. Med den nya enheten och organisationen kommer vi mycket närmare våra många uppskattade befintliga och även nya kunder i Skandinavien", förklarar Thorsten Westphal, VD för Minimax Fire Solutions International GmbH, vid invigningsceremonin i Göteborg.

Om Minimax
I 120 år har Minimax varit ett av de ledande varumärkena inom brandskydd. Minimax Viking-koncernen har en nuvarande årlig registrerad omsättning på 1,9 miljarder euro och sysselsätter cirka 9 500 personer över hela världen. Koncernen, som har sitt huvudkontor i Bad Oldesloe i Tyskland, har flera forsknings-, utvecklings- och tillverkningsanläggningar. Minimax erbjuder skräddarsydda lösningar för tillämpningar inom sektorer som bilindustri, kraft, olja och gas, förnybara energikällor, batteritillverkning, trä, papper, pellets, återvinning, avfallshantering, IT eller sjöfart, varhelst det finns ett brandhot. Ett omfattande utbud av produkter och tjänster från en enda leverantör under brandskyddsteknikens hela livscykel kompletterar erbjudandet. För ytterligare information, se: https://www.minimax.com/int

Kontakt för media
Minimax Scandinavia AB
Leif Martinsson
Sisjö Kullegata 8
436 32 ASKIM, Sweden
Telefon: +46 31463600
E-post: MartinssonL@minimax.se

For more than 110 years, Minimax has been one of the world's leading brands in fire protection. Headquartered in Bad Oldesloe, Germany, the group has several in-house research, development and manufacturing facilities and is committed to sustainability. Every fire that we can prevent is a contribution to environmental protection. The use of environmentally friendly extinguishing agents and fire protection for green energy are two of many sustainable approaches pursued by Minimax.

Minimax Fire Solutions International has been developing fire protection for WTGs since 1998. The Competence Center Renewables and Special Hazards benefits from decades of experience in fire protection for highly specialized applications such as turbines, machinery and sophisticated industrial plants. Nowadays, WTGs are high-performance power plants in their own right. The construction of higher power rates for onshore as well as offshore installations today require enormous investments – and thus also protection against operational interruptions or a possible total loss.

Minimax offers a full range of fire protection solutions in this respect. The spectrum goes far beyond water, gas and fire alarm systems. The solutions for WTGs are based on a unique range of tested and certified components and systems based on Minimax development and manufacturing facilities. Retrofit of existing WTGs and integrating into new systems are both feasible. The special challenges of WTGs, such as permanent vibrations and extreme range of temperatures, were taken into consideration.

A special highlight of our trade show appearance will be the high-performance MXOne extinguishing turbine from Minimax. It enables innovative fire protection using highly efficient water mist from a safe distance. Thus, it represents a new generation of firefighting systems. It allows highly efficient, precise and targeted suppression from a significant and safe distance. The turbine achieves a large discharge range thanks to the adjustable jet pipe, even when using a foam agent.In the wind energy sector, it is particularly suitable for use on converter platforms or helicopter landing pads.

Our experts have many years of experience and accompany each project individually in order to meet the requirements of authorities, insurers and operators, taking into consideration the applicable guidelines. The Minimax experts will be happy to support you to find the best solution for your WTGs. Please, do not hesitate to contact: windenergy@minimax.de

More information: (link)

Even small fires can paralyze the entire production plant. Fire risks are considerable: high temperatures during casting and processing by rolling, forging, extrusion or bending favor the development of fires. Technical defects in production equipment, open construction methods and the interconnectedness of production areas favor rapid fire spread.

Different extinguishing techniques and fire protection concepts are required for the various protection areas within aluminum plants. Minimax offers these fire protection techniques from a single source. In doing so, the experts in fire protection can draw on extensive experience in various industries: whether in automotive, aluminum or energy power plants, logistics centers, offices and administration buildings, data centers or on ships - wherever fire hazards arise, Minimax supplies customized solutions and is also available with a comprehensive range of services after the fire protection system has been installed.

At Aluminium 2022 in Düsseldorf, Minimax will be highlighting two fire protection solutions that are typically used in aluminum plants:

Carbon dioxide systems
Due to its out­stand­ing prop­er­ties, the car­bon di­ox­ide ex­tin­guish­ing sys­tem is the ideal fire pro­tec­tion solu­tion for many areas of ap­plic­a­tion. Car­bon di­ox­ide ex­tin­guish­ing sys­tems are well-suited for high risk areas, where, in the event of a fire, it is ne­ces­sary to keep the pro­tec­ted ob­jects avail­able and func­tion­ing, to min­im­ize op­er­a­tional in­ter­rup­tions after a fire. More information (Link)

Minifog ProCon XP High Pressure Water Mist System
Minifog ProCon XP highpressure water mist systems by Minimax offer excellent fire protection with minimal water consumption and are ideal for turbines, machines and equipment with combustible liquids that are operated in confined spaces. More information (Link)

As recently as March, Minimax was named Vendor of the Year in the field of Physical Data Center Security by the trade journal LANline, thus repeating last year’s victory. And rightly so: The highly complex technical equipment of data centers and other IT areas, as well as the materials used there, incur a particularly high fire risk. A comprehensive fire protection system tailored to individual requirements ensures data availability and meets insurers’ requirements.

Besides gas extinguishing or oxygen reduction systems, water mist also plays a central role in data center fire protection due to its significantly lower water impact. That is why Minimax will be presenting the water mist applications together with its partner VID Firekill. Here, Minimax, together with VID Firekill, can offer solutions with FM approval.

If you wish to learn more about our special fire protection for data centers, or just want to hold the LANline award in your hand, we look forward to seeing you at booth A25.

After a forced break of two years, presence fairs are finally possible again, and Minimax is back. Impressive in its size and product diversity, the Securex International Security Fair presents a wide range of exhibits. Market leaders and internationally recognized companies from the security industry will be presenting their products and services. The focus is on innovative solutions for building security, software and systems that support security processes in various industries.

Minimax Fire Solutions International will be presenting next-generation fire protection in Hall 5A, Stand 55: The Minimax MXOne high-performance firefighting turbine enables the highly precise, targeted use of water mist from a safe and great distance. With full jet, it reaches a discharge range of up to 80m. The new development uses water mist, which absorbs a huge amount of energy, cools particularly effectively and reaches hidden fire sources due to the three-dimensional mode of action. Water mist binds smoke gas, pollutants and odors and can quickly develop its effect over large areas without, like classic monitors with their focused jets, dispersing burning material and possibly contributing to the spread of fire. 

The second focus will be on Minimax spark extinguishing systems. They protect wherever combustable materials are pneumatically transported. This is especially true for extraction and conveying equipment in the wood, textile and food industries. Ignition initials are already detected in the systems and automatically extinguished. Minimax is a pioneer in the development of spark extinguishing systems and offers them with VdS recognition as well as FM system recognition. The protection concept has been successfully proven in many thousands of applications worldwide. 

Czekamy na Ciebie - We are looking forward to meeting you!

The award-winning system generates nitrogen by means of a connected fuel cell. This solution is particularly economical: During power generation, the fuel cell produces clean, nitrogen-rich exhaust air as a by-product, which can be used for oxygen reduction. With this environmentally friendly solution, a return on investment can even be achieved, since the significant energy costs of the nitrogen generator that would otherwise be required are eliminated.

The Coppenrath & Wiese deep-freeze warehouse based in Osnabrück comprises 97,540 m3 in three protected areas. The temperature is around -22 °C. By introducing nitrogen, the oxygen concentration is reduced from 21% by volume (normal) to approx. 15% by volume and can still be accessed by verified personnel.

Saving up to 650 tons of CO2 annually
The fuel cell consistently delivers just under 100 kW of electricity (equivalent to 876,000 kWh/year) and just under 100 kW of thermal power, which the company uses to cover part of its energy load (electricity and heat). Whereas 132 kW was consumed with the old system, 86 kW of electricity is now generated on balance.

More information

Case Study Coppenrath & Wiese

Oxeo EcoPrevent FC fire prevention systems

Oxeo EcoPrevent VG fire prevention systems

Food plants

Deep-freeze warehouses

IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Container) are large cuboid containers for liquid and free-flowing substances. When they replaced traditional steel drums and metal tote tanks for transporting and storing highly flammable hazardous materials in the mid-1990s, a new set of fire risks emerged. John LeBlanc, Vice President and Senior Engineering Technical Specialist in FM Global's Chief Engineer's Group, recalls, “Suddenly, we jumped from 55 gallons in a steel drum to 275 gallons or more in a plastic container."

‘Unmanageable risk’
In the event of a fire, an IBC can melt, thereby leaking liquid. When an intermediate bulk container (IBC) filled with flammable liquid leaks, insurance companies refer to it as an ‘unmanageable risk’. With a filling volume of 1,000 liters, an area of about 330 m² would be covered with 3 mm of flammable liquid.

What complicates matters further is the fact that while the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved IBCs for transporting flammable liquids, many assume that this approval also applies to storage.

U.S. property insurer FM Global, with its certification company FM Approvals, has addressed this issue and recently featured three products in IFP Magazine that significantly mitigate IBC fire hazards. Among them is the Minimax BWCon 1,400 FM fire protection trough that was certified by FM Approvals in 2018:

The Minimax fire protection trough is made of steel and has an integrated flame arrester. In the event of a fire, the burning liquid runs through this filter mat into the collection trough below. This combination prevents the uncontrollable spread of liquid and fire. The fire can then be extinguished, e.g. by a sprinkler system or the plant fire department, before the event develops into a major fire that threatens the existence of the plant. The tank has a total capacity of 1,400 liters. In addition to the 1,000 liters of flammable liquid from the IBC, another 400 liters of extinguishing agent can be held. This volume would be introduced by a sprinkler system during an approximate 20-minute period to extinguish the fire.

Besides the fire protection trough, FM Global certified the double-walled composite IBC from the German manufacturer Schütz in 2020 and the floor system from Houston, Texas-based Safespill back in 2017. The concept is derived from a drainage system used for helicopter landing pads in offshore oil platforms. In 2020, an enhanced version was certified for large applications such as aircraft hangars and distribution centers.

The recently introduced "LiquidProtect" sprinkler system from Minimax is not yet FM-approved but already recognized by VdS. It was developed specifically for the protection of flammable liquids in IBCs and drums stored in racks. Minimax thus provides an effective and reliable solution for the protection of flammable liquids.

Rich Ferron of FM Approvals sums up, “It has taken quite a while, but we now have FM-approved products that FM Global can recommend to its clients and that anyone in the world can purchase to address the very real fire risks associated with using IBCs in industry.”

Source: https://ifpmag.mdmpublishing.com/new-solutions-help-solve-the-fire-risks-posed-by-ibcs/